IF:Dayton Notes

Taste and see that the Lord is good. A collection of writings, reflections and memories for If:Dayton. We want to record how he has lavished his goodness on us.

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Weekends are for reflection right?✨ ‘And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. ' Acts 2:42 Join us as we reflect on God’s goodness over these last 7 years! We are honored to have sat around the table with many of you! We would love to hear from you! comment your favorite time around the table. share with us a prayer or verse about rest. can't wait to hear from you! #iftable #ifdayton #ifdaytonequippedintruth #ifdaytonwomenintheword #daytonwomenintheword #gather #thetable #simpleliving #slowliving (at Dayton, Ohio) https://www.instagram.com/p/CfzD2l4OG3J/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Women of the Table: Lynn

This is the 12th installment of our series, Women of the Table. In this series we are introducing you to the women that grace IF: Table every month and their stories of beauty and redemption.

This week we are introducing Lynn. Lynn has been apart of IF: Dayton from just about the beginning. She is a willing servant of God and is so faithful in the callings on her life. She is unafraid to be herself and share the wisdom she gained throughout her life.

Hi, I’m Lynn McCoy and I currently live in Xenia Twp. I am living for the day when I can retire with just my side business and enjoy even more time with my 5 grandchildren and helping others to become their best self.

I am currently a Skills Lab Facilitator at Main Elementary where I help students learn keyboarding, digital citizenship and other “skills.” You may also see me driving a school bus in the wee hours as subs are in demand these days and in the summer with the canoe bus pulling a trailer as well! Wednesday nights you can find me at Bethel Christian AG, Dayton, leading their Girls Club.

I’m multifaceted when it comes to interests and love outdoor adventure as well as time with family. I also compete alongside my husband in SASS Cowboy Action Shooting where I get to dress up in Old West attire and shoot old style, single action pistols, rifle, and shot gun. It is a lot of fun and also provides an opportunity to be a witness for God. For the past several years we have been hosting Cowboy Church on Sunday morning at the Annual Regional event.

I am also establishing a Health & Wellness business to help people “do life better” and would love to share more with anyone who is interested.

I have been attending If:Table since Daisy began it in our area. From the first time, I felt a welcome connection and enjoyed that women of all backgrounds could come together, feel God’s presence, and glean from each other’s experience. If I can be honest, sometimes the discussion questions are tough for me to answer, and because of my past it can be uncomfortable to go deep, but no one is ever forced to share, and I have become more confident hearing the struggles of others and learning I’m not the only one. Even though I attend rather sporadically (due to above schedule) I still feel the connection even with new faces every time I am there and always leave with a greater sense of God’s love and look forward to the next time.

#ifdayton #womenofthetable #iflocal #daytonwomenintheword #ifequippedintruth #tuesdaythoughts #womensupportingwomen

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A Bright Light,Deanna

This is the 11th installment of our series, Women of the Table. In this series we are introducing you to the women that grace IF:Table and their stories of beauty and redemption.⁠

This post has been one of the hardest to write and also the most full of hope. We walk this earth daily facing the sureness of death, and yet we do not lose hope.

  So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16

I remember meeting Deanna so full of life as we both learned modern dance. Her smile lit up the room and she made us feel more alive just by being in the room. Over the years I watch her grow and fight for her faith. As she clung to her Lord over the years we got to watch her embody his calling to follow him in full!

When she walked into an If:Gathering I couldn't help but squeal with delight! She was a reminder of a sweet time where our bodies were free to experience dance and music in a way that made life pure magic. Her smile now full of wisdom and life hadn't for a minute gotten smaller but instead more alive. 

When she joined us at the table she brought with her the sweet aroma of Christ. Always speaking truth and longing for truer community with those in her life. With each time around the table we were witnessing her blossoming into a beautiful woman after God’s heart. 

As she walked the valley of suffering we could see the cancer was causing her outer self to waste away but the light in her eyes was becoming more and more alive. Her sweet daughter a gift from above in who a little of Deanna’s heart will continue to grow here too. 

It is hard to say farewell to this tender soul. Her life has left a permanent mark in our hearts. She has gone before us to the Lord and we are walking in hope remembering her love for him. This reminder spurs us on to continue to follow Him wholeheartedly. 

See you soon dear sister, His shalom is made perfect in you now. 

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Women of the Table: NicolaThis the 10th installment of our series, Women of the Table. In this series we are introducing you to the women that grace IF:Table every month and their stories of beauty and redemption.⁠

This week we are introducing you to Nicola. Nicola has been coming to the Table for about a year. She is a woman daring to dive deep into the calling that the Lord has laid on her life! We can't wait to see all the good things that He will do in and through Nicola as she starts her next chapter in Africa. 

If: Dayton has been a time of being refreshed in the word of God while eating a bite of food around a welcoming table of lovely ladies.When I first heard about this women's gathering I was looking for a Bible study in my local area. I was looking for a group of women that I could be real with about life, Jesus and just girl stuff in general.

These women have been such an encouragement to me. As a woman in ministry it can be difficult to find those who celebrate you. These ladies have supported me through and through, and I am so thankful that they have opened their hearts up to me.As I write this letter while in Zambia, Africa I am grateful to say that If: Table, without a doubt, had a part to play in me being here in Zambia and fulfilling the call of God on my life to spread the love of Jesus to the Lozi people.I am thankful that I chose to go to that one dinner a year ago that led to another and now to a lasting friendship with a group of ladies who have shown me so much kindness! God always knows what He's doing."We can make our plans,but the Lord determines our steps." Proverbs 16:9Until the whole world hears,Nicola

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Women of the Table Christina

Women of the Table: Christina ⁠⁠This the 9th installment of our series, Women of the Table. In this series we are introducing you to the women that grace if:table every month and their stories of beauty and redemption.⁠This week we are introducing you to Christina. 

Christina has been attending IF:Tables and IF:Gathering for years. Her warm and infectious smile is only outshone by her bravery in sharing vulnerably. We have been encouraged and sharpened many times by the things she shares about what God is rooting into and teaching her. Here are some words from our friend Christina that are sure to encourage you!My name is Christina, I am a wife and mama and most importantly a follower of Christ. My family and I are active members at our local church, FCF Dayton. Exploring and learning alongside my family is definitely my idea of "the best day" and if you throw in a cup of coffee, cozy armchair and a good book I'm pretty much in heaven.

I can't really remember when I first went to an IF:Table, I know it was years ago though. I remember being in a very lonely season of life and the community I found around the table was so encouraging and uplifting. 

I loved the openness to go deeper and the invitation to really share what the Lord was doing in our lives.

 I attended on and off for a while and every time I went back I was just so encouraged by the consistency of transparency, even though I met many different women and no table was ever quite the same, each time I felt a genuine desire for connection and was given a clear view for how The Lord was actively working in His Church in my city. That lifted my heart as I got a glimpse of Christ's love for His bride as women shared their hearts and gave praise to Him at the table.

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Thursday’s Truths

A place to breath in grace and exhale doubt, as we remember and remind each other that He is good. 🌱

This the 8th installment of our current series, Women of the Table. In this series we are introducing you to the women that grace if:table every month and their stories of beauty and redemption.

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. —Acts 2:42

This week we are so excited to introduce you to Elizabeth. She is a gentle yet powerful daughter of the king. She honors him by practicing and developing the artistic skills the Lord has given her. She is brave and continues to remind herself of that truth as sometimes it may seem hard to grasp. Here are some words from our friend Elizabeth that are sure to encourage you! 

“A friend told me that once my story is little like Ruth from the Bible. Maybe she meant my character, my spirit, or something else. However, if she or anyone sees a little Ruth, then that's fine by me.

 Because is not the goal to reflect Christ anyway? Ruth does just that.

 Maybe one day, like Ruth, I'll marry and become a mother, for now, I wait for that gift if that is part of my story, learning in the meantime to be content in all circumstances. My overall goal is to be with God, to step into the fullness of how He created me to be, and help build His kingdom. It will be a true gift to use the gifting of creativity and art to help passionately build his kingdom here on earth. 

Finding myself around the table has given me an assuredness of the beauty of the Lord’s goodness. The first time I came to the table I saw a gift of beautiful, honest, real relationships, something not often seen or experienced in this age of isolated connectivity.  If:Table to me reflects a part of God's intentional design; a picture of how He longs for discipleship to be like iron sharpenign iron. The table is also a blessing, that I do not want  to take for granted. 

Coming to the table takes courage for sure, and I am still growing in courage. it takes vulnerability to come and open your heart to others but believe me it worth it.”

I pray that you will remember that we are saving you a seat and you are welcome here,

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Let’s Stay Together

Quarantine has dragged on the virus feels like it taunts us. The numbers are down and we feel hope surge.  And just when we think  we are getting close to the end the numbers go up again. We social distance, 6 feet apart, we meet outside , and have barely gone in to each others homes.  Yet  quarantine, will not have the last word. We are not meant to stay disconnected from each other.  If there was ever a time we needed each other it is now.  When God created Adam, He said , “ It is not good for man to be alone.”  (Genesis 2:18) 

I encourage you to recite these verses to yourself. 

“ ‘His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ‘ 2 Peter 1:3-8

I pray that as you read them and listen to them you will remember that his divine power has given us everything we need for life even in the midst of quarantine. I pray for creativity to infiltrate all of our minds and heart as we continue to navigate this pandemic.  Here are three ways you can maintain your “ godliness with brotherly (sisterly) affection, and brotherly (sisterly) affection with love.” Take a hike or walk with a friend this fall. The beauty of fall has peeked and it is glorious and available to you. Make tea dates on the porch with a dear friend or with a new friend you’ve been wanting to get to know more. Finally join us “around the table” we will not get to sit elbow to elbow but we will get to break bread together and through it drawn near to the Bread of Life. Sisters, the Lord is our joy and satisfaction even in this time of wilderness. He continues to pursue us and follow us with his goodness and mercy. He continues to unite his church and desires for us to stay together even if we are apart.

Holy Spirit, we are grateful for you in our hearts, you are our counselor who intercedes for us even when we don’t know how to pray. I ask for your joy to  fill us and to give us courage to stay together. Please send us creativity and strength to mature during this quarantine. Change us so that we do not become stagnant but rather to become like the tree planted by streams of water that gives its fruit in season. May this season mark us, lead us to your heart, and help us tend well to the fruit that is yet to come. In Jesus name, Amen.

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A Time to Rest

Unforced Rhythms of Grace

Every night when I get in bed, and almost always after Josh. I get in and instead of snuggling in and letting go I instantly start listing the things I forgot to do, or the I ought to have done, or I should haves … Josh recently pointed this out and now I pay attention to my nightly unwind,  what my brain and heart are speaking, and if I will choose follow it down the I should road or if I will take them captive and redirect them to gratefulness. This led me to then pay attention to the rest of my life and am I choosing to let it happen to me or will I choose to live it?

Jesus said to his disciples many times, come away alone with me. This next passage is beautiful paraphrased invitation extended to us from Jesus. 

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced /rhythms/ /of/ /grace/. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28 MSG

So the Lord, continues to call me into His rhythm. I mean everything is cancelled and yet I feel like I have been running harder. Do you? I thought so, collectively our minds have been racing, anxiety has been on overdrive, and fear has pushed us down paths of busyness as a survival mechanism to deal with the unknown. So, I come out of agreement with fear and instead I am paying attention to the still small voice that keeps whispering “come away with me and you’ll recover your life.”

In his book , The Way of the Heart, Henry Nouwen states, “ Our calendars are filled with appointments, our days and weeks filled with engagements, and our years filled with plans and projects. There is seldom a period in which we do not know what to do, and we move through life in such a distracted way that we do not even take the time and rest to wonder if any of the things we think, say, or do are worth thinking, saying, or doing. We simply go along with the many “musts” and “oughts” that have been handed to us, and we live with them as if they were the authentic translations of the Gospel of our Lord.”

Wow, what an accurate description of my life for so many years but I declare it will not remain this way. Now I choose to take up agreement with the truth that the Lord has prepared the way of rest for me. I must come to him and get away with Him so I can learn it.

Starting August 17th the If:Dayton team will begin two weeks of rest and refreshment. I will be a time set aside to meet with the Lord and to live the life He has given us.  Will you join us? Will you take some time to get away with your Lord as well? Don’t overlook his invitation it will save your life.

Follow his way to rest, 

Daisy

P.S. stay tuned for the announcement of how we will do If:Relive this year. Keep your eye out for the newsletter, if you don’t receive them yet leave your email in the comments and we will get it to you.

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Tuesday Thoughts

a place to breath in grace and exhale doubt, as we remember and remind each other that He is good. Hear some words from Echo doing this very thing. 

Sister, how’s your heartbeat?

What boat have you been in?  

What giant are you facing?  

What fear is overtaking your life?

What decision comes next?

Oh, how I have found myself weary in this season and recounted all of the times I’ve had to stop my mind from spiraling.  I’ve looked out at the crashing waves of my emotions and known that they are too big to stop on my own.

  I can’t stop the white caps coming at me, unless I stop the spiral by fixing my eyes on Jesus.  Only then, am I able to calm the storms inside myself.  

Oh sweet sister, do you feel the same?

I want to encourage you today to feed yourself the truth!  Stop the what if’s, the when’s, the how’s, the why’s, and the lies that are not coming from the Voice of Truth.

As soon as I’ve listened to the Voice of Truth, the winds die down and the crashing waves calm.

Isaiah 41:10 says, “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

I’m thankful that the Voice of Truth tells us a different story and that we aren’t required to do this on our own or with our own strength.  I’m praying for you, that this week you seek the Voice of Truth to stop whatever crashing waves are overtaking you.  I pray that you lean into the Lord, fix your eyes on him, and listen to the words that He desperately wants to impress upon your heart.

And after you’re in your prayer closet, listen to the Voice of Truth by Casting Crowns.  It is a lyric that has inspired today’s message and helps further seed truth in my heart.

“But the voice of truth tells me a different story

The voice of truth says, “Do not be afraid!”

The voice of truth says, “This is for My glory”

Out of all the voices calling out to me

I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth.”

In Him,

Echo

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Faithful Fridays 🌿

One of our goals as a community is to create opportunities in which to share our hearts, taking care to base them on the word of God. The If:Dayton Leadership Team will be sharing their hearts with you. They will share tidbits of their time in the word and about what God is teaching them. Here is an encouraging word from Catherine.

Loss. Life. Mourning. Joy

"Blessed be the God our Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our afflictions, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

On July 13th my aunt went to meet her maker due to cancer. She had been suffering in pain for at least a year, if not more. She LOVED Jesus, and I am so deeply grateful that she has found complete healing in His Arms! She showered people in His love, even when it was hard. His light shone through her and touched those around her in so many different ways. 

My Aunt, was a teacher, she loved her students dearly. She was a master gardener, and could make anything grow. She lived creatively and accomplished so much in life. I was blessed to know and love her and see the life and love she had for all people! She was sweet and kind with a stubborn flare. She loved fiercely and used her whole life to show others love. From the kids she taught for 29 years, to those she met at various hospitals seeking treatments, and of course those closest to her heart, her family. All of them. I am still learning from her even after she has gone. Mourning is hard. I don’t want to have to experience the grief and emptiness that accompanies mourning.I can now empathize with those navigating through grief as well. For me the hardest part is to come to terms with is her young age. I think and imagine that she had more life to live and more knowledge and love to give. But I do not get to dictate that. We asked and prayed for healing and she has received full healing! She is with family and angels worshiping in the presence of our God! 

I have to remember Psalm 34:18 "The Lord is near the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

Grief I am learning, is a process through which I can only go through leaning into Jesus. If you are experiencing grief right now I am praying for you. Know that you are not alone and that my prayers are holding space for you before the Lord. We all grieve in different ways and we all find comfort in it differently. I find solace in worshiping God, letting down my barriers and just giving him what is in my head and in my heart. I give him all that is beyond my control and things that have made my heart hurt and even harden. He so graciously takes it and unconditionally loves and helps our hearts to heal. He knit us together in our mother’s wombs and so he continues to knit our hearts to His even in grief. Thank you Jesus! He gives us all exactly what we need everyday to live life well.

Maybe you can also take time to spend some time in worship as I leave you with the lyrics to a song I was able to play for my aunt before she passed.

Psalm 23 (I Am Not Alone) By People and Songs The Lord is my Shepherd He goes before me Defender behind me I won't fear I'm filled with anointing My cup's overflowing No weapon can harm me I won't fear Hallelujah, I am not alone He's my Comfort Always holds me close He always guides me Through mountains and valleys His joy is refreshing Restores my soul Mercy and goodness Give me assurance That I'll see His glory Face to face Hallelujah, I am not alone He's my Comfort Always holds me close Hallelujah, I am not alone He's my Comfort Always holds me close Your Spirit lives within me So I will walk in Your peace Your Spirit lives within me My victory, My victory Your Spirit lives within me So I will walk in Your peace Your Spirit lives within me My victory, My victory Your Spirit lives within me So I will walk in Your peace Your Spirit lives within me My victory, My victory Your Spirit lives within me So I will walk in Your peace Your Spirit lives within me My victory, My victory Your Spirit lives within me So I will walk in Your peace Your Spirit lives within me My victory, My victory Your Spirit lives within me So I will walk in Your peace Your Spirit lives within me My victory, My victory My victory My victory My victory My victory My victory My victory My victory My victory My victory My victory My victory My victory My victory My victory My victory Hallelujah, I am not alone I am not alone I am not alone I am not alone 'Cause He's my Comfort He's my Comfort Always holds me close Hallelujah, I am not alone He's my Comfort Always holds me close Hallelujah, I am not alone He's my Comfort Always holds me close Hallelujah, I am not alone He's my Comfort Always holds me close

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Midweek Motivation

A place to breath in grace and exhale doubt, as we remember and remind each other that He is good. 🌱

"My best chance for having a hopeful vision for the future while holding on to a healthy contentment now is to let love lead."

Emily P. Freeman, Simply Tuesday

One of our goals as a community is to create opportunities in which to share our hearts, taking care to base them on the word of God. The If:Dayton Leadership Team will be sharing their hearts with you. They will share tidbits of their time in the word and about what God is teaching them. Here is an encouraging word from Melissa. 

Love. I can't help but think of 1 Corinthians 13 when I think about love.  I have read this chapter many times, but had never noticed, until recently, that while the verses in this chapter talk so much about love it only gives two things that love is. Love is patient. Love is kind. 

The rest of the verses are about what love isn't and what loves does and doesn't do.

 Love does not envy or boast; love is not proud, rude, self-seeking or easily angered. Love keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil. In other words, love isn't mean.

 In the current climate, love is not the first thing I see when I look around. it seems we have forgotten that we are to follow Love (Jesus) and lead with love.  Love is patient. Love is kind.The chapter moves on next to what love does. 

Rejoices with the truth, always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. 

The last in the list of things about love is what love never does. Love never fails. Uncertainty, fear, stress, and anger can make us believe nothing is certain and yet love never fails. 

Now especially, I think we are all looking for ways to be content in the now, and have a hopeful vision of the future, so can we let love lead? In our relationships at home can we let love lead?  In our interactions in the community can we let love lead? In our posts, discussions and comments on social media can we let love lead?  

Love is patient. Love is kind. The best news is that we can LET love lead. It's not just up to us, our discipline, and our willpower.  

Love is the One who lives in us, and works in and through us. The Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in us! (Romans 8:11) 

May I let love lead, and be patient instead of easily angered.May I let love lead, and be kind instead of rude. Lord may it be so in me! Lord may it be so in us! Share with us your prayer to let love lead. Fill in the blanks: May I let love lead, and be ___________ instead of ___________.

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Thursday Truths 🌿

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2Corinthians 12:9 

One of our goals as a community is to create opportunities in which to share our hearts, taking care to base them on the word of God. The If:Dayton Leadership Team will be sharing their hearts with you. They will share tidbits of their time in the word and about what God is teaching them. Here is an encouraging word from Bethany.

These past couple of weeks have been challenging. The word that keeps circling in my mind to describe how I feel is … stuck. I feel stuck in my circumstances, my feelings, my decisions. It seems like the things I want are at odds with each other and there have been many moments full of anxiety and hopelessness.

 But even in the midst of uncertainty, I see glimpses of God’s grace in my circumstances—a compassionate husband, friendships I can admit my heartaches too (this is an answer to a many years long prayer), a reconciled relationship I had no idea was weighing so heavily on me, and a book by Emily P. Freeman called the Next Right Thing. All of these things have breathed life into my aching heart and have pointed me to the One who blesses, restores, strengthens, and gives abundantly. 

In my heart echo Peter’s words, "And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you." (1 Peter 5:10) 

He is the God of ALL grace--each and every kind of grace we could need. And in 2 Corinthians, God promises that His grace is sufficient for us. A little word study on sufficient--it means to be possessed of unfailing strength, to be strong, to be enough, to defend and ward off, to be satisfied and contented (Blue Letter Bible).So let’s tease that out a little more…

God's grace is unfailingly strong, enough, able to defend and ward off, and His grace satisfies making our hearts content.

I don't know about you guys but when I try to solve or "out think" my problems, many times I end up empty, dissatisfied, and still searching. But when the God of all grace speaks truth into my situation, that is the place where I am changed and find true comfort and stillness.

Today, I pray over the burdens you have rolling around in your mind. I pray that God would anchor you with His truth, point you to His grace, and speak life into those hard places. I pray that His grace would be a shield to defend you and ward off any thought or belief about yourself or your life that doesn't align with His goodness. 

I end with this: For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:15-16

Grace and peace to you, my sisters.

Bethany

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Tuesday Thoughts: Women of the Table

This the 7th installment of our current series, Women of the Table. In this series we are introducing you to the women that grace if:table every month and their stories of beauty and redemption.

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. —Acts 2:42

This week we are so excited to introduce you to Miss Karen. She is a native Daytonian. She’s outgoing and her love for people has been a blessing to us when we have the privilege to be with her around the table. She is a prayer warrior that loves to see women become their authentic self.

She is thrifty and likes to go junken, as her family calls it when she hunts for treasure at Goodwill, flea markets, and garage sales. Her creativity is evident in how she can create beautiful cakes from seemingly nothing into masterpieces.

After her daughter went off to college, she enrolled in a cake decorating class and loved it. She began decorating cakes and making candy as a hobby but now she has a business called, Klassi Konfections. You may have tasted her yummy caramel dipped pretzels at one of our tables or at our gathering this year. She enjoys sharing her love for making candy and decorating cakes through teaching others and helping them better their skills.

Hear from her own words how the Lord met her desires for deep community when she gathered around an IF:Table and attended IF:Dayton, a local IF:Gathering this year.  

“ I met Daisy at our workplace and began to join them around the table after meeting her. My favorite part about If:table and the IF:gathering is the strength that I get from fellowshipping with the women.” 

What a wonderful Lord we serve He gives us the example of creating authentic community around the table.

“And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him.” Mark‬ ‭2:15‬ ‭ESV‬‬

In the midst of Covid-19 we have had to change each month our approach for meeting together around the table. We are so grateful for connecting via technology.

 At one of our zoom tables Miss Karen encouraged the young moms in the group. She spoke blessing over them and encouraged them to see that their work at home with their children doesn’t go unnoticed. Her words felt like a real life hug in a virtual world. When you experience a hug from Miss Karen you feel loved and seen.

 We are so thankful to get to be in community with Miss Karen and look forward to hearing her heart each time we meet. Will you join us? We would love to have you. We saved you a seat.

[ifdayton]

TUESDAY THOUGHTS 🌾

A place to breath in grace and exhale doubt, as we remember and remind each other that He is good. 🌱

One of our goals as a community is to create opportunities in which to share our hearts, taking care to base them on the word of God. The If:Dayton Leadership Team will be sharing their hearts with you. They will share tidbits of their time in the word and about what God is teaching them. Here is an encouraging word from Echo. 

I continue to wonder how Paul was so joyful in prison. How day in and day out life was the same for him and sometimes full of suffering, yet he continued to endure with one vision in mind.  

I don’t know about you, but these last few months have felt  a bit like being under our own modern day house arrest. I’ve had to hold the Covid-19 blues at bay with scripture and,like Paul,continue to fix my eyes on Christ.

In his letter to the Philippians while in prison, Paul wrote, “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death-even on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,in heaven and on earth and under the earth,and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:8-11 NIV

Meaning, that despite all circumstances,I need to look to the glory of God as did Paul as he imitated Jesus. This is the reason he was so joyful.This is why he could endure the day in and day of prison life, at times even with singing. How little grumbling I should do in comparison! Paul went on to address this in verse 14-15, “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure Children of God.”

Even though we have all navigated quarantine differently, we may have all found ourselves in moments where our eyes shifted to our suffering instead of having them fixed on Jesus.Today I invite you to pivot again and fix your eyes back on Jesus. I pray that as you press on you will do so without grumbling or arguing, so that you can continue to become a blameless and pure child of God. 

Let us pray!  Thank you, Lord for being an unchanging God. For being the name above all names in the depths of depths with us as well as in the highs of highs.  Thank you for being a God not of this world, but of one exalted to the highest place that we can’t wait to reach.We couldn’t have obtained it without Jesus’ death on the cross, yet we know that our hope, peace, and glory truly lie in you. Fill us with your Spirit, Lord, and give us an unshakable peace.  In your name, Amen!

xoxo,

Echo 

[ifdayton]

Tuesday Thoughts

14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.  

Ephesians 3:14-19

One of our goals as a community is to create opportunities in which to share our hearts, taking care to base them on the word of God. The If:Dayton Leadership Team will be sharing their hearts with you. They will share tidbits of their time in the word and about what God is teaching them. In this introductory post Bethany will share how the Lord is bringing her back to rest in the truth of His word. Bethany is the newest addition to the If:Dayton leadership team and we are so excited to see the Lord strengthen our team through her leadership!

In my life I've often found myself moving from distraction to distraction--trying to find the dream house, working on "this" house when the dream house is so far out of reach, striving to nail down a perfect family routine, obsessing over our budget, vegging out in front of the tv when I've had a tough day (just to name a few!). So many of my distractions are rooted in discontent. I become discontent with my house, my motherhood, my spending, my body, and instead of meeting that discontent with the word of God, I try to use my own strength to ease the discomfort.

 Instant gratification seems easier than seeking out God's truth and so I go on autopilot to try and meet my own needs.

 Maybe this resonates with you, too? In preparation for this encouragement, I asked the LORD what He would want his daughters to know…what He would want me to know? And as I read Ephesians 3:17 (above) I felt that gentle tug of encouragement in my spirit.

  Sisters, we are rooted and grounded in love. Before I am anything, I am first rooted and grounded in God's love. I tried to let that wash over me, imagine how it would look and feel when I am faced with feeling not enough.

When I am unhappy with my house - I am rooted and grounded in God's love. When I feel like I'm failing as a mother - I am rooted and grounded in God's love.When I am lazy and feel anguish about my body - I am rooted and grounded in God's love.

As I've been meditating and marinating in these verses from Ephesians I have become more aware of the relentless nature of discontent. Yet because of God’s word I am not powerless to its ways. 

Every time I feel that stirring of discontent or that impulse to distract myself, I remind myself that here in this present moment, God's love for me is big and strong and deep and beyond the limits of my here-and-now understanding.

 What's going on in your life? Are you self-medicating heart wounds, discontent, stress and anxiety? I invite you to read the following passages and sit under the truth of God's word.

Romans 8 Psalm 139 John 15

 You, sister, are rooted and grounded in His love. Meditate on these words--close your eyes and try to picture the hugeness of his love carrying you in the midst of your heartaches. And I pray as you soak in the word, the Holy Spirit would speak into your inner being --those deep places that only he can access -- and plant seeds of understanding so that you would be filled with the fullness of God (Eph. 3).

Be blessed,

Bethany 

[ifdayton]

Tuesday Thoughts: Women of the Table

This the sixth installment of our current series, Women of the Table. In this series we are introducing you to the women that grace if:table every month and their stories of beauty and redemption.

All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. —Acts 2:42

This week we are so excited to introduce you to these two beautiful women. They are a mother daughter duo that exude the aroma of Jesus. Hear from their own words how the Lord met their desires for deep community when they gathered around an IF:Table and attended IF:Dayton, a local IF:Gathering this year. 

Annabell is a wife to Chris and a mother of 6 children ranging from 10 to 23 years old.  Her family is uniquely blended, gifted in hospitality, and they love to adventure together in South Dayton. 

Toni is a 22 year old coffee shop enthusiast, creative adventurer, devoted daughter, and loyal friend. She dreams of having her own coffee shop one day and continually spurs others her age to create intentional community. 

I am reminded every time we gather the church isn’t just a building and one community, without connection to other churches and communities. We find that Christ unites us all.   -Annabell

“I had my first-born daughter, Toni, at the very young age of 17.  God has been faithful in my life and has always provided and Toni was able to see answered prayers and my steadfast hunger for the Lord as we struggled during her childhood.  In so many ways we grew up together. As a teen she committed her life to the Lord, many times being my prayer warrior and sister in Christ. She joined me in prayer and pleaded to the Lord for my husband’s soul and a couple of years ago he gave his life to Jesus.  My husband and I are now in agreement that raising our children to seek God, and His Will for our lives is our mission. Toni and I attended if:table hungry for a connection with like minded women. Our church is great and provides women’s bible studies and opportunities to fellowship however there was a longing for a deeper connection.  We were hungry for more, more God. We were seeking a deeper relationship with women, support in our walk, and a safe place to share our obstacles, our failures, and receive encouragement.

The first time around the table I found women who immediately embraced me, just as I am. I felt accepted through the women’s acceptance- Christ’s love was on display.  Our immediate connection was through the Holy Spirit, and it was so refreshing. The questions asked around the table are intended to go past the surface and bring up deep discussions. I found that unabashedly and without shame I could share my intimate struggles. I am so appreciate the support provided and feel safe coming to the table ready to  share. I am reminded every time we gather the church isn’t just a building and one community, without connection to other churches and communities. We find that Christ unites us all. When we gather with women in the community we lift up our needs in prayer, encourage one another, and praise Him for what He is doing in our lives. I have been able to meet more women that also love the Lord and love being in community together. The experience is unique and beautiful every time meet.  I look forward to growing with these women, joining our voices in prayer and singing His Praises together.  I am grateful to share these experiences with my daughter and sister in Christ.

At the first if:table we attended we felt God’s presence immediately. Mom and I, naturally wanted to lean on each other, and our own strength but the group guided us to God’s love. We were showered with wisdom, prayer, and received with open arms.   -Toni

“I dedicated my life to Christ in my sophomore year of high school.  My mother encouraged me to find a youth group and surround myself with Christ centered friends. In that season of life I began to follow after Jesus passionately. I am grateful for  3 lifelong friends that guided me back to Christ. The women in my life have always encouraged me fostering my heart to desire connections with  women of faith. I long to become a prayer warrior for other women and guide young hearts to the Lord. My mother and I were invited to if:table by Daisy, we met her at church. The invitation was timely since struggles we were going through were overwhelming and we needed prayer intervention. The first if:table we attended we could feel God’s presence immediately. His love was poured out through the ladies around the table. Mom and I, naturally wanted to lean on each other, and our own strength but the group guided us to God’s love. We were showered with wisdom, prayer, and received with open arms.

The way these experiences have changed me pours out of me, I share them with every gal  I meet. I invite them to join me with enthusiasm because I want them to experience His word, His Unending Love, and the support I receive from the women gathered around the table.  IF:Gathering 2020 was a catalyst in my desire and hunger to reach out to women of younger ages.I look forward to inviting more friends  to next year’s gathering. I praise the Lord with thanksgiving for If:Dayton, knowing them has renewed my faith reminding me that all things are possible through Christ. 

[ifdayton]

Consider the Wildflowers

“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith!” Luke 12:27-28

One of our goals as a community is to create opportunities in which to share our hearts, taking care to base them on the word of God. The If:Dayton Leadership Team will be sharing their hearts with you. They will share tidbits of their time in the word and about what God is teaching them.

Catherine invites us to step outside and see how God draws close to us in nature.

“During this season I have been able to take peace and comfort in going outside  and take in the beauty of Spring. I have seen the buds turn into flowers and then fresh green leaves. Flowers popping up and dotting the landscape with fresh color, is just one of the reasons why Spring is my favorite season. It surrounds me with new life and new growth. It reminds me every year of this passage in Luke. 

“Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life[b]? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. Luke 12:22-31

This awe and wonder that I feel when I see the beauty of the earth He created,  does not compare to the way He delights over us! That You and I are cared for and loved more deeply than we know. There is not a single shred of good that comes from worry, instead we are left heavy with anxiety, doubts, and fear. In my heart of hearts I know my God is bigger than all of those things but routinely I forget. I forget because sometimes I’m overwhelmed by the stress that seems looming, and the mundane that seems never ending. I think we all have these moments where we feel so alone, broken, and unable to express what we are truly feeling. 

But God hears us and God sees us despite our short term memory He does not forget us. 

It’s a daily fight to hold onto the promises that God has given us especially in these times of uncertainty. So, will you step outside with me and breath in grace in the fresh air? Take a walk around the block, your neighborhood, or go to a park and just breathe. As you allow yourself to be in nature find a quiet place and close your eyes and breathe in the peace of God.  When you breath in and say, “ I accept your peace Lord” and when you exhale name the worries that you are giving over to God.  Do this a few times and you will feel your body rest and relax.

Listen to the birds, for they do not worry about their next meal. Look at the flowers and trees, and enjoy the beautiful colors that you've been gifted through them. Recall to mind that in midst of all the crazy Jesus is with you, holding you and guiding you. You are Loved.

Love, 

Catherine